Amazon 'signs up HTC' to produce first smartphone

HTC has reportedly joined forces with Amazon to develop and launch a range of smartphones which could be available as early as next year.

Rumours about the internet shopping company’s plunge into the world of mobile have been rife for several years as rivals Google and Apple continue to dominate market share. The Financial Times has reported that the ‘two companies are in an advances stage’ of development, although HTC wouldn’t comment and Amazon said it ‘has no plans to offer a phone this year’.

However, the chief of marketing for the ailing smartphone manufacturer, Benjamin Ho, hinted at possible collaborations, saying ‘the company is always exploring new opportunities’. He said: ‘We have been very focused on building our own brand, but we have also been very open to co-branding and collaborating with carriers and other technology brands.’

Earlier this year HTC teamed up with Facebook to produce the HTC First, which carried the social network's Home skin. However, sales of the handset were slow and EE decided to pull it from its range ahead of launch.